Backwinding machine



May 8, 1928. 1,668,878

I W. P. TOMS ET AL BACKWINDING MACHINE Filed March 22. 1926 '2 Sheets-Sheet 1 1 nr' ys W 1 i [My i May 8, 1928.

W. P. TOMS ET AL BACKWINDING MACHINE Filed March 22- 9 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 attouww Patented May 8, 1928.

UNITED STATES- PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM I. TOMS AND WILLIAM R. FOWLER, OF CLINTON, TENNESSEE, ASSIGNORS TO 7 MAGNET KNITTING MIL-LS, 0F CLINTON, TENNESSEE,

NESSEE.

zancxwmnmo MACHINE.

A CORPORATION or 'rnm Application filed March 22, 1926. Serial No, 96,591.

This invention relates to backwinding',

machines and more particularly to a machine for backwinding the threads of a knit fabric or the like. a

It has heretofore been proposed to-pro: vide a machine for backwinding'the yarn of a flat knit fabric, but machines of this type are generally not adapted for backwinding threads of the finer grades of fabric or for backwinding the threads of a tubular fabric.

It has further been proposed to backwind V the threads or yarns of atubular knit fabric,

not adapted for backwinding and recovering separately a plurality of threads of a knit fabric composed, for example, of silk and cotton, or silk and rayon, or various combinations of threads or yarns of difl'erent. materials.

The principal objects of this invention a are to provide a machinewhich enables separate threads or yarns of a knit tubulartab ric to be backwounddirectlyon cones ,which affords means for backwinding directly on cones not only, separate threads or yarns of theusual tubular knit fabric, but also the separate threads or yarns of what is known as a plated fabric; which insures that the several threads will be led in different dis rcctions from spacedpoints on theunraveh ling [edge of the fabric andatthe same time alwaysbeisupported and guided in the plane of said unravelling edge of the fabric;

which exerts a positive braking action on the fabric support and regulates the tension of the unravelling thread and which is simple in construction, highly eflicient in operation and inexpensive to install and maintain;

In order to more clearly understand this invention, reference maybe had to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a backwinding machine embodying the inventive idea and wherein Fig. tie; a detailed perspective view of the machine;

Fig; 2 is an enlarged horizontal sectional view bn the'li ne 2-2 of Fig. 4; y 7

3 is a horizontal sectional view ont-hc' line 3+3 of Fig. 4-;a'nd

Fig. 4 is averti'cal sectional view on the ixis of the fabric support or drum shown in ig. 1. a 1 Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference "characters designate like parts throughoutthe several views, the mechanism of the presentinvention is preferably mounted onja table 5,the legsfi 6 of which are connected by cross pieces 7, 7 and braced through the medium of tie members 8, 8 secured in any suitable manner to the legs 6, 6, cross pieces 7, 7, and the upper part of said table. y f

The source of. power "for driving the va rious instrumentalities mounted on the table 5 preferabl comprises apowcr transmitter 9 of any Well: known construction which may be driven from'an electricor other suitable motor-Knot shown) and controlledthrough the medium of a lever 10 rigidly secured on ashaftll connected: with the clutch of the power transm tter and journaled in suitable hearings in abracket 12 bolted or otherwise suitably secured. on one end of the table The power transmitter 9 includes the usual change speed pulleys f 13, 13 over one of which passes a'belt l4, saidbelt also passing over a grooved pulley (not shown) fixed on a shaft 15.,qournaled 1n bearings 16, 16cmried by the; cross pieces 7, 7. The shaft 1 5 alsohasfiXed thereon a pair of grooved pulleys which preferably difi'er insize with respect to each other and one of which is in'dicatedat 171 ]T"assin g around these pill leys are belts 18, l8 which run through suitable openings inv the top of the table 5 and pass around pulleys); 19 fixedfon shafts 20', 20 which are spacedj in substantially parallel relation andjjournaledin brackets 21, 21 bolted or otherwise suitably secured on the table 5. i y W The shafts 20, 20 have fixedlthereoncone shapedfrictionl members 22, 22 for driving thread or yarn holders 23, 23 which, in accordance with the present invention, are also cone shaped and mounted on cone shaped spindles 24, 24 journaled in suitable hearings in arms 25, 25. The arms 25, 25 are pivotally mounted at 26, 26 on brackets 27, 27 bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the table 5, and said arms are preferably provided with weights 28, 28 by means of which frictional engagement of the cones 29, 29 of thread or yarn with the cones 22, 22 may be regulated as desired. During pivotal movement of the arms 25, 25 caused by gradual increase of the size of the cones 29, 29 the free ends of said arms are guided in slots 30, 30 formed in the outer bent extremities 31, 31 of brackets 32, 32 bolted or otherwise suitably fastened to the table As a further means of guiding the arms 25, 25, the brackets 32, 32 are preferably provided with upwardly bent inner extremities 33, 33, having reduced portions 34, 34 which slidably engage the arms 25,

One extremity of the shaft 15 projects through the adjacent bearing 16 and has fixed thereon a spur gear 35, which meshes with a larger spur gear 36 fixed on a shaft 37 journaled in a bearing 38 carried on the adjacent cross piece 7. The gears 35, 86, together with gears 39 and 40, form part of a speed reduction mechanism, the operation and construction of which is well known and understood in the art and needs no detailed explanation in so far as the present invention is concerned. The gear 36, however, has rigidly secured on the outer face thereof, as by set screws 41, 41, an arm 42, the slotted outer end of which is pivotally connected at 43 with the lower end of a link 44. The upper end of the link 44 is pivotally connected at 45 with the free end of a lever 46 fixed on a rock shaft 47. The rock shaft 47 is iournaled in suitable bearings in in any other desired manneron the table 5.

The rock shaft 47 has fixed thereon a lever 49 the free end of which is pivotally connected at 50 with one end of a link 51 (Fig. 2). T heopposite end of the link 51 is pivotally connected at 52 with one end of'a pawl car rying lever 53 loosely mounted on the lower unthreaded portion of a screw shaft 54.

The opposite end of the lever 53 carries a spring pressed pawl 55 arranged to engage the teeth 56 of a ratchet 57 fixed on the screw shaft 54 between the lever 53 and a base plate 58 through which the lower end of said screw shaft projects (Fig. 4). The base plate 58 is preferably provided with circular pads 59and GOwhich engage the table 5 and together with base plate 58 serve to support various devices carried by the latter above the table 5. The pad 60 further serves as a. bearing for the screw shaft 54, and for this purpose is recessed at 61 to receive the reduced lower end 62 of said shaft. A collar 63 fixed on the shaft 54 between the base plate 58 and the pad 60 serves to prevent displacement of the shaft 54 with respect to the base plate '58.

In accordance with the present invention, movable means are provided for supporting and guiding the separate unravelled threads or yarns in the plane of the unravelling edge of the fabric so that as said threads or yarns are being unravelled they will follow the movement of the unravelling edge of the fabric and at the same time be led in differ ent directions away from spaced points on said unravelling edge in order to avoid interference between the threads or yarns during unravelling and winding of the same on their respective conical holders 23, The means last referredto preferably consists, in addition to the screw shaft '54'and the pawl and ratchet mechanism for rotating the same, of a carriage 64 provided'with an opening 65 of greater diameter than that of the screw shaft 54 and through which the latter projects. The carriage 64 has pivotally mounted thereon at 66 a lever 67 provided with a substantially semi-circular off-set thread engaging portion 68 which when engaged with the threads of the shaft 54, as by turning the lever 67 in one direction. about the pivot 66,

serves to operatively connect the carirage 64 with said shaft causing the carriage to move downwardly as the shaft is rotated in the direction of the arrow (Fig. 2). The oil-set portion 68 of the lever 67 is preferably retained in engagement with the threaded portion of screw shaft 54 by a latch 68' pivotally mounted at 68 on the carriage 64. In order to prevent the carriage 64 from tilting with respect to the screw shaft 54, said carriage is provided with an apertured boss '69 which is slidably engaged with a guide 7 O, the lower threaded end of which passes through a suitable opening in the base plate 58 and is threaded in a socket 71 secured in any suitable mani'ier to the table 5 The upper end of the guide has fixed thereon a bearing plate 72 in which the upper end of the screw shaft 54 is journaled. The carriage 64 is provided \vitha yoke 73, the arms 74, 74 of which embrace a fabric support or drum 75 .disposed vertically between the two sets of conical driving and driven elements 22, 23, 22, 23 and substantially equi-distant from each set of the latter. The ends of the yoke arms 74, 74 are providedwith thread supports and guides 76, 7 6 which, as thecarriage 64 moves downwardly, are always disposed in the plane of the unravelling edge 77 of a hose clipping or other tubular knitted fabric 78 placed on the drum 75, and lead the threads or yarns 79, 79 of said fabric in different directions from spaced points 80, 80 on the unravelling edge 77 as said threads eczema or yarns are being unravelled and back- Wound' on the cones 23, 23.

In accordance with the present invention, the drum 7 is rotated by the unravelling and backwinding of the threads or yarns 79, 79 on the cones 23, 23 and the spaced relation of the points 80, 80 on the unravelling edge 77 from which said threads or yarns are drawn, is always maintained substantially the same so that interferencebetween or entanglement of the threads is thereby avoided. For this purpose the drum supported for rotation one plurality of antifriction. elements 81, 81 retained in the groove 82 of araceway 83 by the Weight of the drum and engaging the under surface oftheclosed lowcr cnd 84 thereof. The racelit) i the drum I friction between the spider and drum ..1 96 are slidably way 83 is fixed on collar 85, a reduced" 86 of which passes base plate threaded extension through a suitable opening in the 58 and has threaded thereon a nut 87 by means of which the collar is securely clamped to said base plate. The collar 85has fixed therein a stationary rod 88 which eX- tends loosely through an. opening 89 formed in the closed lower end 84 of the drum and located on the longitudinal axis thereof. In order to prevent accidental displacement of the drum 75 from its anti friction support, the rod 88 is preferably extended upwardly within the drum and provided with a spider 91, the hub 90 of which is fixed onthe upper end of the rod88. The diameter of. the rim 91 of the spider is slightly less than that of 75, as clearly shownin- Fig. 4, so that during rotation of the latter is avoided.

In addition to the means above described for supporting and guiding the threads or yarns, means are also provided adjacentthe winders 22, 22 for guiding said threads or yarns back and forth while being wound into cones on the conical holders 23,23. The. guiding means last referred topreferably comprises a pan of spaced levers 92, 92

fixed on the rock shaft 47 and having their free ends pivotally connected at 93, 93 with the adjacent extremitiesof links 94, 94. The opposite extremities of the links 94, 94 are pivotally connected at 95, 95 with thread guides 96, 96 provided therein with eyes 97, 97 through which the threads or yarns 79, 79pass as they are being wound on the conical holders 23, 23'. The thread guides 96, mounted on tracks 98, 98 which are supported over the a table 5 by brackets 99, 99 bolted or otherwise suitably secured to said table. It will thus appear that; motion of the links94, 94 received from the levers 92, 92 and rock shaft 47, is transmitted to the-thread guides 96, 96 cans ing them to reciprocateialong the tracks 98,

98 as the threads 79, 79 passingthrough the eyes 97, 97 of said guides on the conical holders 23,, 23.

is preferably or various combinations two threads of 'a tubular are being wound brake of any suitable construction may be provided for engaging the drum, and as herein shown, said brake prises a lever' 100 pivotally mounted at 101 on a bracket 102 secured in any suitable. manner to the base plate 58 (Figs. 1 and 2). The lever 100 is provided at one end with a brake pad 103 which engages the lower closed end of the drum 75 and is automatically maintained in engagement therewith by an adjustable weight or spring (not shown).

In the operation of the machine, the shaft'47 is rocked by its connections with the gear 36 and this rocking movement of the shaft 47 is transmitted by the connections between the same and the pawl carrier 53 so asto' impart a step by step rotation to the ratchet 57 and screw shaft 54. Rotation of the screw shaft 54 causes the carriage 64 to move downwardly on said shaft as the threadsor yarns 79," 79 are being unravelled from the fabric 78 and backwound on the conical holders 23, 23. This movement of the carriage 64, screw shaft 54, and ratchet 57 is soktimed with respect to the rotary movement of the: cones 22, 22 that thecarriage 64 and thread guides 7 6, 76 are always disposed substantially in. the plane of the miraveling'edge 77 of the fabric 78; If, in the operation of the machine above described the threads 79, 79 are of different materials such as silk and cotton, or sillrand rayon, p of threads of different materials, it has been found, particularly with what is known as aplated fabric, that while the threads of different materials will unravel at'a fixed ratio, they do not unraveh at the same rate. In order to compensate for the difference in rate of unravelling' of threads embodied in fabric such last referred to, and atthe same time maintain the proper ratio of movement between preferably cointhe carriage 64 and the cones 22, 22, the

pulleys such as indicated at 17 for driving said cones, differ in size as respects each other sothat the cones 22', 22 will be driven by the belts 18, 18- at speeds having aratio therebetween corresponding with the difference in rate of unravelling of the separatethreads of the knit or plated fabric.

While the mechanism hereindisclosed is aidaptedfor' unravelling and backwinding knit or plated fabric, it will be readilyappreciated that by the provision of additional thread guides and windingdevi-ces, a corresponding additional ill) number of threads of a tubular knit or plated fabric may be unravelled and backwound in an efficient manner. Moreover, it will appear that instead of unravelling and backwinding a plurality of threads, the mechanism may be employed to unravel and backwind a single thread of a tubular knit fabric. It is therefore to be expressly understood, that this invention is not limited to the particular mechanical embodiment set forth but that the inventive idea is susceptible of a variety of mechanical expressions within the limits of the appended claims.

What is clainiediisz 1. The con'rbination with a plurality of spaced driven cone holders, of a rotatable drum mounted between said cone holders so that separate threads or yarns of a tubular fabric on said drum may be unravelled and backwound separately on cones carried by said folders.

2. The combination with a plurality of spaced driving elements and a corresponding number of cone holders arranged to be driven thereby, of a drum rotatably mounted between the driving elements so that the threads or yarns of a tubular fabric on the drum may be unravelled and backwound separately on cones carried by said holders, and means for rotating said driving elements.

8. In a machine of the character described, a winding device, a fabric holder arranged so that a thread or yarn of the fabric may be unravelled and backwound on said winding device, and movable means arranged adjacent-the fabric holder and adapted to continuously guide the unravelling thread or yarn substantially in the plane of the unravelling edgeof said fabric.

4-. In a machine of the character described, a winding device, a fabric holder arranged so that a thread or yarn of the fabric may be unravelled and baclrwound on said winding dcvii'e, mo able means adjacent the fabric holder for guiding the unravelling thread or yarn, and mechanism for moving the thread guiding means and adapted to continuously maintain the latter substantially in the plane. of the unravelling edge of the fabric.

In a machine of the character described, a rotatable drum adapted to support a tubular fabric, a device mounted for movement longitudinally of the drum and adapted to guide a thread or yarn as it is being un- -avelled from the tubular fabric on said drum, mechanism for moving the threadguiding device as the thread or yarn is being unravelled so as to continually maintain said device adjacent the plane of the unravelling edge of the fabric, and means for unravelling and backwinding said thread or yarn.

6. In a machine of the character described,

a rotatable drum adapted to support a tubular fabric, a plurality of devices arranged for movement longitudinally of the drum and adapted to separately support and guide a plurality of threads or yarns being unravelled from tubular fabric on said drum, means for moving said devices to c0ntinuonsly maintain them adjacent the plane of the unravelling edge of the fabric, and a plurality of-n'reclianisms for unravelling and separately baclrwinding said threads or yarns.

'7. In a machine of the character described, a rotatable drum adapted to support a tubular fabric, a carriage mounted for movement longitudinally of said drum and provided with a pair of devices embracing the drum and adapted to guide a plurality of threads or yarns being unravelled from tubu lar fabric on the drum, means for moving said carriage and devices to continuously maintain the latter adjacent the plane of the unravelling edge of the fabric, and a plurality of mechanisms for unravelling and separately backwinding said threads or yarns.

8. In combination, a rotatable drum adapted to support a tubular fabric so that a thread or yarn thereof may be unravelled, a screw shaft rotatably supported adjacent said drum, and means mounted on said screw shaft and movable thereby so as to guide the thread or yarn substantially in the plane of the unravelling edge of the fabric.

9. In combination, a vertically disposed rotatable drum arranged to support a tubular fabric so thata thread or'yarn thereof may be unravelled, movable means adjacent the drum for" supporting and guiding the thread or yarn, and a pawl and ratchet mechanism adapted to move said means in accordance with the rate of unravelling of the thread or yarn.

10. In combination, a device arranged to support a fabric so that a thread or yarn thereof may be unravelled, movable means arranged to guide the thread or yarn being unravelled, and mechanism for moving said means adapted to maintain the same substantially in the plane of the unravelling edge of the fabric as the thread or yarn thereof is being unravelled.

11. In combination, a device arranged to support a fabric so that a plurality of threads or yarns thereof may be unravelled, a plurality of spaced movable devices ar- 'anged to support and guide the threads or yarns being unravelled, and mechanism for moving said devices adapted to maintain them substantially in the plane of the unravelling edge .of thefabric; as the threads or yarns are being unravelled.

12. In combination, a rotatable drum arranged, to support a tubular fabric sot-hat individual threads or yarns may be unill!) T eeann ravclled, a iiovably mounted yoke "embracing sairl drum and prifivided on each arm "thereof with means for guidingone of the threads or yarns, and operating mecli'anisni for said yoke timed to move tl same so as to'miiintain said means substantially iii the plane of the unravlling edge of the fabric as the threads or rnsare being unravelled',

13. In "co ibination, "a fabric holder, means for guidr 'i'ndividiialthreads or yarns being i'inravelled fioin fabric on said holder, an mechanism for iiiiparting step by step nic-reincutto said means so as 'to maintain the latter siibstantially in the plane of the unravelling "edge at the fabric-as the threads or yarns thereof are being un "avclled.

14-. In combination, a fabric holder, a car- .';0 movably mounted "adjacent the holder 2 jirovided with means for guiding a thread or yarn being un "avell ed from fabric on said holder, and mechanism for moving said carriage so as to maintain meai'is substantiallv ravellingedge of the fabric as the thread or yarn is being unravell'e'd, saidmechanism in eluding a screw'shaft on which the car riage is mounted and a pawl and ratchet for turning said screw shaft.

15. In combination, a fabric holder, movable means for guiding a thread or yarn beingunravelled fro-m fabric on said holder, and devices for moving said means to maintain the same adjacent the plane of the unravelling edge of the fabric, said devices including a pawl and ratchet mechanism and a rock shaft for operating said pawl and ratchet mechanism.

16. In combination, a fabric holder, means for guiding a thread or yarn being unravelled from fabric on said holder, a screw shaft for moving said means relatively to the fabric-holder, a. pawl. andratchet mechanism for turning said screw shaft, and a rock shaft for 'atchct mechanism.

17. In combination, a rotatable drum or the like for supporting a tubular fabric, a movable carriage having one or more thread guides thereon for guiding a thread or threads being unravelled from tubular fabric on said rotatable drum, a screw shaft for moving the carriage and said thread guides longitudinally of the drum, a pawl and ratchet mechanism for turning said screw shaft, a rock shaft for operating the pawl and ratchet mechanism, and means for rocking said last named shaft.

18. In combination, a fabric holder, a carriage having an opening therein, a screw shaft extending through'said opening and adapted to be connected with the carriage to move it relatively to the fabric-holder, means for connecting the carriage with and for disconnecting the same from said screw shaft, and one or more devices on said carsaid guiding in the plane of the unon the thread operating said pawl and.

provided withone or more devices for guiding a thread or threads-being unravc'lled holder, and means for moving the carriage so as to maintain the thread guiding device or devices substantially in the plane of the unravellingedge of the fabric as the thread or being uinravelled.

2041a conibination, a fabric holder, a guide ar slidably mounted on said guide for guiding a thread or threads being unravelled from fabric on said holder, and screw shaft for moving said means so as to maintain the same si'ibstantially in the plane of the unravelling edge of the fabric as the thread or threads arebeingunravelled, A

21. In combinatioma fabric ,llioldeig'a guide arrangedadjacent said holder,means slidably mounted on said "guide for guiding a thread or threadsbein'g unravelled froin fabric on said holder, a screw shaft for moving said means so as to maintain the same substantially in the plane of the unravelling edge of the fabric as the thread or threads thereof are being unravelled, and a device guiding means for connecting said means with and disconnecting the same from said screw shaft.

from fabric on said 22. In combination, a rotatably mounted fabric supporting drum or the like, a guide arranged adjacent the drum, a carriage sl'dably mounted on said guide and provided with one or more devices for guiding a thread or threads being un 'avelled from tubular fabric on said drum, and means for moving said carriage so as to maintain the the thread guiding device or devices substantially in the plane of the unravelling edge of the fabric as are being unravelled.

23. In a machine of the character described, a rotatably mounted fabric supportingdrum or the like, thread or yarn guiding means movably mounted adjacent the fabric supporting drum, a screw shaft on which the thread or yarn guiding means is mounted, a plurality of mechanisms for unravelling and separately baclnvinding a plurality of threads or yarns received from a tubular fabric on said drum, and mechanism for turning said screw shaft timed to maintain the thread guiding means substantially in.

the plane of the unravelling edge of the fabric as the threads or yarns thereof are being unravelled.

24. In a machine of the character described, a rotatably mounted fabric supporting drum or the like, thread or yarn guiding means arranged to take separate g idihga thread or threads being threads thereof are 'anged adjacent said holder, means the thread or threads thereof threads or yarns from spaced points on the unravelling edge of a tubular fabric on said drum, aplurality of Winding mechanisms for unravelling and separately backwinding the threads or yarns, and mechanism for moving said thread or yarn guiding means so as to maintain the same substantially in the plane of the unravelling edge of the tabric as the threads or yarns thereof are being unravelled.

25. In a machine of the character described a plurality of spaced mechanisms for unravelling and separately backwinding a like number of threads or yarns of a tubular fabric, a drum rotatably mounted between said mechanisms for supporting the tubular fabric and adapted to be rotated by the unravelling and backwinding action of the threads or yarns, and a manually operated brake'adapted to be engaged with the drum to control its rotation and thereby regulate the tension of said threads or yarns.

26. In a machine of the character described, a fabric support, a thread or yarn guiding device movably mounted adjacent the support so as to be maintained substantially in the plane of the unravelling edge of a fabric on said support, mechanism for unravelling and backwinding the thread or yarn from said fabric, and a movable thread or yarn guiding device arranged adjacent said unravelling and backwinding mechanism.

27. In a machine of the character described, a rotatably mounted fabric supporting drum or the like, thread or yarn guiding means movably mounted adjacent the drum, mechanism for unravelling and backwinding thread or yarn from a tubular fabric on said drum, mechanism for moving the thread or yarn guiding means so as to maintain the same substantially in the plane of the unarelling edge of the fabric, thread or yarn guiding means slidably mounted adjacent the unravelling and backwinding mechanism, and means for reciprocating said last named thread or yarn guiding means.

In testimony whereof We have signed this specification.

WILLIAM P. TOMS. WILLIAM R. FOWLER. 

